St John's Meads Church of England Primary School
Eastbourne, BN20 7XS · East Sussex · primary school
Check the area around this school
91st of 130 primary schools in East Sussex we can score, 144 in total — the rest without enough published data. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to the 4,254 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 4.6/10 among them, against 5.3/10 nationally. Both figures are results only, without the inspection grade. A lower figure here means a stronger comparison group, not a weaker school.
How this is worked out
| Measure | Percentile | Weight | Adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expected standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 71.0 · 68 | 40% | 2.73 |
| Ofsted | 3 | 35% | 0.10 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 3.0 · 29 | 25% | 0.73 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
St John's Meads Church of England Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 71.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. 3.0% reached the higher standard, against a national median of 7%. Ofsted rated the school 'Requires improvement' in May 2024. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 4.6 out of 10 among them, against 5.3 out of 10 nationally.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join construction and art clubs, learn swimming, and attend a pantomime trip.
Getting in
The published school roll is 162 pupils against a stated capacity of 218. These whole-school figures do not establish entry-year vacancies or the likelihood of an offer. Confirm entry-year availability and admissions criteria with the school or local authority.
Worth asking on a visit
How does the school support pupils to move from the expected to the higher standard in core subjects? What specific actions are being taken to address the 'Requires improvement' rating from the 2024 inspection?
What Ofsted said about St John's Meads Church of England Primary School
Overview
The report states that pupils feel safe and cared for within a calm atmosphere, with high expectations for behaviour and personal development. However, the school’s ambition for learning is not consistently realised across the curriculum, resulting in variable teaching quality and inconsistent pupil recall of knowledge.
Strengths
- Pupils demonstrate "positive conduct" and behave respectfully, resolving disagreements sensibly.
- Early years provision is strong, with children in Reception achieving well due to a "clearly sequenced curriculum" and effective staff training.
- Personal development is a strength, with pupils developing a "secure understanding of different perspectives" and becoming "well-rounded modern citizens."
- Older pupils benefit from a structured reading programme and enjoy an "ambitious range of books."
Areas to improve
- The teaching of reading lacks consistency from Year 1 onwards; staff must follow the phonics programme closely to ensure pupils read with sufficient fluency.
- Teaching does not consistently build on prior knowledge; staff should design tasks that help pupils learn important content and accurately check understanding.
- Governance has not provided sufficient oversight and challenge to ensure the school’s ambition is successfully met for all pupils.
Safeguarding
The report states that "the arrangements for safeguarding are effective."
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 66% |
| 2023/24 | 53% |
| 2024/25 | 71% |
| England | 64% |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 14,326 state schools in England we hold a 2024/25 figure for — a school-level median, not the DfE's pupil-weighted national figure.
Your offer chance
—Based on official applications/offers, distance and catchment where we have it. Bands only — never a percentage.
Sibling, faith, looked-after and other criteria can override distance. Always confirm with the school or local authority.
Next dates
- Primary (Reception) application deadline15 Jan 2027
- Primary National Offer Day16 Apr 2027
- Primary (Reception) application deadline15 Jan 2028
- Primary National Offer Day17 Apr 2028
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